5.0 (3 ratings)
Long Time Gone
When DNA results reveal a disturbing connection to the mysterious disappearance of a famous baby nearly three decades ago, a woman’s search for answers draws her to an ominous small town in Nevada and a dangerous web of corruption, power, and lies in this engrossing, propulsive new novel from the internationally bestselling author of Twenty Years Later.
For fans of Alice Feeney, Stacy Willingham, Riley Sager, and Megan Goldin.
THIRTY YEARS AGO, BABY CHARLOTTE VANISHED.
TODAY, SHE WANTS ANSWERS.
“Zigzagging mercilessly between past and present, Donlea keeps up the tension…in a superior thriller.” — Kirkus, STARRED REVIEW
On the first day of an elite two-year fellowship under the renowned Chief Medical Officer Dr. Livia Cutty, Sloan Hastings receives a research assignment in the emerging field of forensic genealogy. It’s the exciting, rapidly evolving science behind the recent breaks in high-profile cold cases from the Golden State Killer to the Cameron Young murder, and Sloan enthusiastically begins her research by submitting her own DNA to an online genealogy site. Her goal is to better understand the treasure trove of genetic information contained on ancestry websites, but the results she receives are shocking.
Raised by loving, supportive parents, Sloan has always known she was adopted. But her DNA profile suggests her true identity is that of Charlotte Margolis, aka “Baby Charlotte,” who captured the nation’s attention when she and her affluent parents mysteriously vanished in July 1995. Despite a large-scale investigation and months of broad media coverage, there were never any suspects in the family’s disappearance and the case has been cold for decades.
Racing to stay ahead of the media and true crime junkies ravenous to know what really happened to Baby Charlotte, Sloan’s search for answers leads her to Cedar Creek, Nevada, a small town north of Lake Tahoe. There, the Margolis family’s power and influence permeate every corner of the county, and while Sloan’s birth relatives are initially welcoming, they’re also mysterious and tight-lipped. Not everyone seems happy about Sloan’s return, or the questions she’s asking.
The more she learns, the more apparent it becomes that the answers Sloan seeks are buried in a graveyard of Margolis family secrets. And someone will do anything to keep them hidden . . .
Do YOU hold the secrets in your blood?
To find out, text “CHARLOTTE” to 775-239-0320.
For fans of Alice Feeney, Stacy Willingham, Riley Sager, and Megan Goldin.
THIRTY YEARS AGO, BABY CHARLOTTE VANISHED.
TODAY, SHE WANTS ANSWERS.
“Zigzagging mercilessly between past and present, Donlea keeps up the tension…in a superior thriller.” — Kirkus, STARRED REVIEW
On the first day of an elite two-year fellowship under the renowned Chief Medical Officer Dr. Livia Cutty, Sloan Hastings receives a research assignment in the emerging field of forensic genealogy. It’s the exciting, rapidly evolving science behind the recent breaks in high-profile cold cases from the Golden State Killer to the Cameron Young murder, and Sloan enthusiastically begins her research by submitting her own DNA to an online genealogy site. Her goal is to better understand the treasure trove of genetic information contained on ancestry websites, but the results she receives are shocking.
Raised by loving, supportive parents, Sloan has always known she was adopted. But her DNA profile suggests her true identity is that of Charlotte Margolis, aka “Baby Charlotte,” who captured the nation’s attention when she and her affluent parents mysteriously vanished in July 1995. Despite a large-scale investigation and months of broad media coverage, there were never any suspects in the family’s disappearance and the case has been cold for decades.
Racing to stay ahead of the media and true crime junkies ravenous to know what really happened to Baby Charlotte, Sloan’s search for answers leads her to Cedar Creek, Nevada, a small town north of Lake Tahoe. There, the Margolis family’s power and influence permeate every corner of the county, and while Sloan’s birth relatives are initially welcoming, they’re also mysterious and tight-lipped. Not everyone seems happy about Sloan’s return, or the questions she’s asking.
The more she learns, the more apparent it becomes that the answers Sloan seeks are buried in a graveyard of Margolis family secrets. And someone will do anything to keep them hidden . . .
Do YOU hold the secrets in your blood?
To find out, text “CHARLOTTE” to 775-239-0320.
Pages: 304
ISBN: 9781496727183
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Available in: Hardcover, Audiobook, Ebook, Paperback, Library Binding
See all editions (9)Reader Reviews
5.0
3 ratings
Meagan W.
Feb 8, 2026
Long Time Gone is the kind of thriller that reminds me why I keep coming back to this author. The pacing is tight, the mystery is layered, and the emotional stakes are woven seamlessly into the investigation instead of feeling tacked on. I was fully invested from early on, constantly rethinking what I thought I knew as new pieces surfaced.
Everything unfolds with intention, and the payoff feels both satisfying and earned. This one checked all the boxes for me—smart, tense, and impossible to put down—making it an easy 5⭐ and a must-read if you enjoy well-crafted, character-driven thrillers.
Everything unfolds with intention, and the payoff feels both satisfying and earned. This one checked all the boxes for me—smart, tense, and impossible to put down—making it an easy 5⭐ and a must-read if you enjoy well-crafted, character-driven thrillers.
Brittany F.
Feb 8, 2026
LOVE LOVE LOVE Charlie as an author! Short chapters, fast paced, and enthralling. He captures you from the very beginning and it just gets better as you turn the pages. Strongly recommend!
Jolene C.
Feb 8, 2026
Wow! Can this author write a bad book?? So far absolutely not. This is my third book of this new to me author and I am completely addicted! His books are highly captivating .
This one revolves around a 30 year old cold case and how genealogy helped cracked the case wide open. But the plot goes much deeper than that and before you know it, there’s so many questions needing answers ,making it hard to put this book down. I love this author’s story telling and have added the rest of his stuff to my reading list! Obviously highly recommend to all mystery and thriller readers!
This one revolves around a 30 year old cold case and how genealogy helped cracked the case wide open. But the plot goes much deeper than that and before you know it, there’s so many questions needing answers ,making it hard to put this book down. I love this author’s story telling and have added the rest of his stuff to my reading list! Obviously highly recommend to all mystery and thriller readers!